I believe...

[jess0930]

That anyone and everyone can overcome this phobia with help or not. This phobia is all in our head. How often do we worry and then how often do we actually get sick? I am like everyone else, if I stop worrying about it, it will happen. Right? Wrong! I know a lot of people who don't have this phobia and don't get sick that often. Yes we should all stay clean and take care of ourselves. But this is really controlling our lives. What are some things we can start telling ourselves when we start to panic to calm ourselves down?

[catlynn]

Might sound crazy but I talk to myself. I say calm down, If I do end up vomiting it will be scary but I will make it through. It doesn't always work but I am working at it! Works better if
I am alone. Also I try to stay away from stomach meds unless the nausea is severe.

[Mamafear]

Personally, I find that I cope anyway because life goes on. What makes that coping much less traumatic is coming on here. Before I arrived here I was at the last stop. : )

[socitycourty]

i try to talk to myself rationally like that. but somewhere in my brain it just goes off the rails and I will end up in panic attacks. i hate it.

I think that even if i wans't too hygienic I wouldn't get sick very often (touch wood!) most people in my family rarely have sv's it was just not a big thing that I could ever remember.

My dad went lots and lots of years without one, so did my mom. and my sister, until she worked in the preschool and even then she's only had 2 that she caught there.

It is irrational, that's why it's a phobia

[jess0930]

I talk to my husband and myself. That always seems to help me. I thinking talking to yourself or to someone else is the best way to help change your way of thinking.